Youth Company & Conservatory - mostly split by age cut-off
2 morning program classes and 5 night program levels and 2 children level
2 daytime levels- unsure of how levels are determined
2 levels in morning program, Conservatory and Youth Company, and then levels (based on age) in the Night Program
Creative movement, night time class levels 1-7, two day time levels
N/A
2 daytime levels
2 levels- Conservatory is younger. Youth Company is older
2 in the day program
Dancer Age
13
14
15
16
17
Hours of Dance Each Week
16-20 hours
21-25 hours
More than 26 hours
Gender
Female
Male
Prefer not to say
Company Affliated?
No
Yes
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Years At School
1 year
2 years
3 years
5 years
Full time or after school?
Full-Time
Curriculum
Days Per Week
6
Classes Per Day
4
5
Weekend Classes?
Yes
Weekend Schedule
Half day
Students Per Class
10-15
16-24
Less than 10
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
No
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week
4
5
Daily
Live Music in Technique Class?
No
Yes
Dedicated Men's Program?
No
Unsure
Yes
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
No
Yes
Men Taught Batterie?
No
Unsure
Yes
Boys In Level
5-10
Less than 5
Separate Technique Class for Boys
No
Techniques Taught
General Classical
Vaganova
Technique Teacher Rotation
Different depending on week
The school rotated teachers on a fixed schedule
Usually the same every day
Did School Director Teach?
Always
Occasionally
Often
Classroom Corrections
Dancer specific: almost every dancer got specific corrections each day
Dancer specific: detailed but only a few dancers consistently got corrections
Attention From Teachers
Very Little
1
2
3
4
5
A Lot
Quality of Instruction
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Did Technique Improve?
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Tremendously
Curriculum Comments
Ballet class, pointe class every morning, a short break before afternoon classes. Afternoon classes consist of repertoire, character, contemporary and pilates, rotated during the week. During show season, repertoire classes are substituted for rehearsals
Daily: Technique, Pointe & Repertoire; 2 hours/week: Contemporary; 1 hour/week: Character & Pilates; Option to join Contemporary Company, 2 hours/week
Daily: ballet, pointe, repertoire. Once a week: pilates/body conditioning, contemporary.
Technique, pointe daily
Rep, conditioning, contemporary, character, depending on the day! And optional privates with the teachers.
Vaganova training by the main teachers. Technique, pointe daily and two hours of a mix of repertoire, character, contemporary, conditioning after technique and pointe. Four classes a day plus optional privates.
1:30 min tech class, 45 min pointe (m-f), 30 min lunch, 1 hour contemporary class (w&f), 1 hour body conditioning (t), 1 hour character class (f) only for the first quarter of the the first semester. All other afternoon classes are scheduled to be a variation class but are predominantly used as rehearsal time for upcoming show or competition.
Daily technique and pointe, weekly repertoire, contemporary and character classes
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
No partnering
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
Character
Horton
Jazz
Modern
Other Class Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Contemporary Offered?
Yes
Types of Contemporary Classes Taught
Choreography workshops
Improv
Repertoire
Technique
Contemporary Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Master Classes?
No
Yes
Master Classes Description
ballet/pointe
Master class is taught for technique and pointe
Master classes of technique and pointe
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Pilates (mat or reformer)
Stretch class
Physical Training Schedule
Once or twice a week
Were Trainers Certified?
No
Some were certified and some were not depending on class
Yes
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Strength & Conditioning Comments
Wish it were stronger/offered more often
Needs to be a stronger program with weight training
more attention should be given and parents made aware of areas that require additional needs for each student.
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
Parent was informed same day, in person
Student told parent. School not involved
How Treatment Obtained?
arranging for urgent care or physician office visit
I choose a doctor no input from school
Nearby urgent care, physical therapists, and massage therapists
On my own.
Outside pt
Personal outreach, made our own appointments
yes
PT Available?
No
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
No
Describe Recovery Plan
N/A
Recovery plan was given by doctor and dancer communicated to teachers
Determined between physician and physical therapist & communicated by dancer to the studio
Teachers were gracious about re entering dance
N/A
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Yes
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Unsure
Yes
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
Maybe
No
Yes
Additional Comments
School is not fair
Wish they provided a physical therapist onsite
Studio does not get involved; however, receptive & accommodating to plan of care established by MD/PT
There is none and no support
Student feel uncomfortable eating in front of director, a not an overall supportive and nurturing environment.
The teachers were understanding about injuries and open to dance modifications
Performances: Winter Show/ Nutcracker
Performance Opportunities
2-3
School Winter Show?
Yes
Company or School Show?
School puts on it's own production and students dance all the parts
Cast in Winter Show?
Yes
How Chosen
Chosen by school director or the company artistic staff
Winter Show Role
Dancing part
I had both types of parts
Were You Paid?
No
Rehearsal Impact on Classes
1
2
3
4
5
Rehearsal Hours
1-2
3-5
6-10
Performance: Ballet Season
Cast in Company Productions?
No
Yes
Kind of Part Given?
Dancing part
I had both types of parts
How Chosen
A few students are chosen by the Artistic Staff
All students allowed to audition
All students allowed to AUDITION
Students chosen for roles by staff - NO AUDITIONS
Was Casting Fair?
For some but not all
No
Yes
Did Rehearsals Impact School Schedule?
1
2
3
4
5
Rehearsal Hours
1-2
3-5
6-10
Perfomance Opportunities
Very few opportunities
Two shows a year for conservatory students. More opportunities for Youth Company
Nutcracker, Spring Ballet and YAGP solos and ensembles
Nutcracker, Spring Show, Competition solos & ensembles
Nutcracker, spring show, competition solos & ensembles
I had a amazing opportunity to dance Clara in the winter nutcracker show and for the spring show, A&A is doing sleeping beauty and I have an amazing opportunity to dance red riding hood and more.
Nutcracker and Spring Ballet
Nutcracker, yagp, spring performance
Very performances but the ones we had were good.
Nutcracker and Spring Ballet
Nutcracker, Spring Ballet, YAGP solos and Ensembles
School opportunities
Were You Paid?
No
Competition
School Does Competitions?
Yes
Competitions Required?
No
How Many Compete?
No limit
If a student wishes to participate they are allowed to-most of them are invited to represent the school
All
Anyone who wants to participate
% of Students Who Performed
10
70%
Almost all are selected
80%
probably half
90%
Most
70 percent
90%
30%
85%
Most
60%
How Chosen?
No selection process
Privates
Chosen during class rehearsals for ensembles
Solos are chosen by the teacher during private lessons.
Anyone who wants to participate is eligible, some people are advised to only do a certain amount of solos or perform with specific limitations (ex: performing on flat).
solos - if you're interested; ensembles - selected by artistic director (no audition)
Ask the director
Decided by the teachers
mostly you sign up but the teachers advise you about it
None
Student and parents decide
You can compete as a solo if AD ok's it. Ensembles are chosen by AD.
Anyone can participate
Anyone can compete
Competitions Cost Extra?
Yes
Just the private coaching
Yes- for privates
Competition organizations; private lessons to prepare
yes - private lessons
Fees for costume for any ensemble.
Private coaching and competition fees
competition fees and privates fees
Yes
Yes
Yes, for privates and ensembles along with entry and costume fees
Fees for private coaching
Yes fees for coaching, registration for competitions
Separate Competition Rehearsals?
No
Yes
Competition Interfered With Training?
Detract
Added value
Added- Especially the ensemble
Great practice for stage
Added because students learned about the integrity of the performance
added value - opportunities to improved technique & skills, work with others in ensembles and perform on stage
I didn’t really affect anything
Added- Learning to work as part of a corp for ensembles.
Individual feedback and corrections for solos
add because you get lots more one on one instruction
No because we gas rehearsals for ensembles during the day which is in the schedule when the time comes and there were solo privates after the regular day
Detract
Rehearsals for ensembles took place during class and detracted from training for those not in the ensembles. Solos sometimes would perform during class.
Added- learned principle roles and learned how to work as a cohesive group for ensemble pieces.
Adds because it helps to refine technique and artistry
Communication
Formal Orientation?
No
Yes
Handboook & Paperwork
Adequate but missing several key pieces
Comprehensive and complete. I knew what to expect for the year
Fairly comprehensive but missing a few pieces
No handbook provided
Vague and incomplete
Quality of Communication?
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Who Received Communication?
With dancers only. Parents not involved
With parents and students
Exams
Formal Exam?
No
School Culture
How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?
Not
1
2
3
4
5
Completely
How Supportive Were Students of One Another?
Not
1
2
3
4
5
Completely
Describe School Culture
Toxic
Strict, drama free, professional, high-expectations
Serious, competitive, friendly
Improvement driven and focused
mostly supportive, encouraging & fun between dancers
Hardworking and also very supportive
Competitive and supportive
Hardworking and supportive
Challenging, complex, competitive, friendly
About money. Only certain students received support
Dancers friendly, teachers can be toxic
Serious yet supportive
Clicky and everyone is on their own journey
Placement Notification Timing
No
No
In the spring
In April, before the dance term ended.
spring
June
First day of class
At the end of the year if you ask
Beginning of the year
Child wasnt
no
On the first day
Spring
How Dancer Was Notified
In-person meeting with school director/staff
Written communication via email or regular mail
Dancer Had Mentor?
No
Yes
Mentoring Details
informal - individual friendships between dancers. Very much left up to the dancer to seek out advice and establish mentors.
No
Older students are mentors
no specified mentor
Mentor
N/A
There was none. Students mostly did not feel comfortable sharing plans for the future including summer intensive auditions and programs.
Older students are mentors
Director often spoke with daughter, answered questions, guided her and spoke with her regarding her next step and was involved in the transition
Overall School Culture
Lord of the Flies
1
2
3
4
5
Warm & Inclusive
School Outcomes
Is Student In Upper Levels?
Yes
Highest Levels of School?
There are no bridge levels
There are no bridge levels
Post- Graduate/Graduate
There are no bridge levels
Post- Graduate/Graduate
There are no bridge levels
There are no bridge levels
There are no bridge levels (If you chose this answer, please skip next question)
There are no bridge levels (If you chose this answer, please skip next question)
There are no bridge levels (If you chose this answer, please skip next question)
There are no bridge levels (If you chose this answer, please skip next question)
Post- Graduate/Graduate, There are no bridge levels (If you chose this answer, please skip next question)
There are no bridge levels (If you chose this answer, please skip next question)
How Many Promoted Internally to Bridge Level
N/A
N/A
Bridge level students are mixed with Youth Company
No bridge level
Unsure
Unsure
Unsure
Unsure
Unsure
How Many Come From Outside to Bridge Level?
N/A
N/A
New students come each year
No bridge level
Where Graduates Who Do Not Get Bridge Level Go
A few find positions elsewhere but most leave ballet
All find bridge level positions at other ballet schools
Some find positions elsewhere and about half leave ballet
How Many Left and Went to College?
10%
5 percent
None
Not many, most go to companies. 1-2
Not sure
Unsure
Career Support
I was not looking for new placement; was staying in program
Received lots of help
Received no help - I was on my own
Describe How School Helped
Dancer was not looking for help but was offered a trainee position and school director was involved in the pricess and mentored dancer
Building & Surrounding Area
Security Around Building
No
Yes
Safety of Area Around School?
Not Safe
1
2
3
4
5
Extremely Safe
Studio Space
Cramped
1
2
3
4
5
Lots of space
Studio Cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Housing
Was Housing Provided?
No
Yes
Did Dancer Stay in Provided Housing?
No
Yes
Where Did Dancer Live?
Lived at home
Rented an apartment alone or with other dancers
There is a apartments available in the same building as the studios
Type of Housing Provided:
Apartment of some type
Dorms
Housing Minimum Age
11
11y
12
Not sure
# of Roommates:
3
Adequate # of RA's?
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Absolutely
Type of Bathrooms:
Private in suite
Curfew?
No
Curfew Reasonable?
Yes
Nightly Room Check?
No
Dorm Strictness
Extremely Lax
1
2
3
4
5
Extremely Strict
How Infractions Handled?
My student had no infractions this year (as far as I know!)
Skewed depending on student
How Roommate Issues Handled?
Between the girls, no studio involvement unless parents went to the school about an issue.
between roommates
Through roommate and roommates parents’ communication
Handled between roommates or parents get involved
Housing Cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Students Required to Clean Room?
No
Yes
Laundry Available?
Yes
Laundry Free?
No
Yes
Evening Activities?
No
A/C In Room?
Yes
Weekend Outings?
No
Transportation Between Housing and Studios?
In the same building
In the same building as studios
live in the same building
Studio is in the same building as the apartments
Safety Around Housing
Not Safe
1
2
3
4
5
Very Safe
Overall Rating of Housing
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Additional Comments
College students also live in the same apartment building
Dancers are on their own unless you have arranged a chaperone. Must be mature and self sufficient.
No chaperones - must be very independent
Meal Plan
Meal Plan?
No
Academics
How Did Academics Work?
Separate e.g. online, independent study, etc.
Academic Support
There were no formal study requirements. Students were on their own
Did the School Support Academics?
Didn't support
1
2
3
4
5
Definitely supported
Overall Program Grades
Overall Dance Instruction
A
A-
A+
B-
C
C+
Career Support and Placement
A
A-
A+
B+
C
D
Emotional Support
A
A-
B
C
C-
D
Housing & Food
A
A-
B-
C
N/A
Performance Opportunities
A
A+
B+
C
C+
D
Overall Comments
Program's Best Aspect
None
The training
Consistent and excellent training
The teachers and training are excellent and encouraging and the amount of classes/training hours
Directors and teachers are passionate and teach a true classical ballet program. Focused on technique and mastering specific movement yet allow for personal style.
No modern or jazz, etc classes. There is no Physical Therapy program.
No integrated PT, or any type of ongoing health/wellness program.
Contemporary program needs improvement
Lack of physical therapists available from the school
Lack of support and preparation for future
There was a lot of favoritism. If you were not of a what the director was looking for you were largely ignored. Mostly focused on competitions.
No partnering and not enough boys/men
Clicky students
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
Director
Integrate physical therapy, nutrition and other wellness
Better communication
A better healthy dancer program.
Add a more formalized preventative program & (wishful thinking) a PT on-sight to evaluate on a regular basis.
Like almost all programs, this one is missing a great opportunity to instill healthy lifestyle habits to strengthen and support these growing bodies. Most dancers stretch and do their PT exercises (that were learned during their PT visits post-injury) daily & on their own, but not really a formal part of the program.
Better contemporary, chaperoned housing
Integrate school affiliated physical therapists
Several areas
For every dancer to be supported and helped to grow to their next level.
Bring in male students for regular partnering.
Have a stronger contemporary program.
Less focus on competition placement
Anything Else We Should Know?
If you aren’t spending a lot of money on privates or plan to stay for years you will not be noticed.
There is no supervision for out of town students, living arrangements are made by the parents.
The teachers value dancers that are focused and want to improve and pay attention to those that are respectful of that.
This is a true pre-professional program and students are expected to work hard.
If you aren’t gifted you won't receive the attention or help needed. Plus you must invest in privates.
If your goal is to compete and you take private lessons; and you come in with a semi strong foundation and good facility, then A&A could be a good fit for you. If however you can not take multiple private lessons each week then you will probably be largely ignored and you may not see much improvement.
Very close knit community of friends.
Dancers are responsible their own success and there is not a lot of hand holding. It is a very individual experience and everyone will have their own experience
